Plans for the much-anticipated shoe boutique that Rockets forward and basketball shoe aficionado P.J. Tucker had in the works, like almost everything, are on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic that suspended the NBA season. But on Thursday, Tucker announced a different plan.
Tucker will release a new limited-edition collection of clothing items next week to help promote awareness of coronavirus safety measures and raise funds for the Houston Food Bank and local businesses and vendors.
Tucker announced that he and The Better Generation will make items available for a preorder through the weekend or while supplies last. The items will include long and short sleeve shirts, shorts and a baseball cap and feature COVID-19 awareness graphics.
“We all came together and said we wanted to do something positive,” Tucker said. “With so much negativity and so much stuff going on right now in the world, we wanted to do something to give back and help out. We’re doing three different shirts, three different shorts and a hat. There is a social distancing logo and messaging on the back with the logo for the store.”
Tucker said during the hiatus he has continued to work out while remaining at home with hopes that the season can restart in some form.
“We’re just on hold, waiting to see what are our options,” Tucker said. “It’s crazy because nobody has ever seen this before, nobody’s dealt with this before. We’re going day-by-day, trying to figure it out.
“Javair (Gillett, the Rockets director of athletic performance) has different workouts for us every day. We just try to do as much cardio and little stuff as we can at home and stay in some kind of shape while we’re out.”
Tucker said he “for sure, for sure” hopes the season can be salvaged “in some way, for sure.
“I’m all for playing anywhere,” he said. “However they want to do it, I’m all for it. I don’t care. I just want to play.”
The opening for The Better Generation, a sneaker boutique that Tucker planned to open this fall in Houston, will likely be pushed back. The items for sale will be available at thebettergeneration.com.
“I’m definitely putting in more time doing the little things we got to do for the store,” Tucker said. “But even that, with everything going on, the date will change depending on what happens going forward.”
— HOUSTON CHRONICLE
